San Sebastián Gastronomika was an astounding success: 68 Michelin stars gathered at a historic conference

A resounding success is the definition given of the San Sebastián Gastromomika by the almost 10,000 professionals who visited the Kursaal between Monday and Wednesday to attend a conference laden with talent and which succeeded in gathering a total of 68 Michelin stars at a single event.

And not to mention the hundreds of Donosti citizens who participated in the popular activities on Sunday 22^nd November, where the conference opened its doors to the entire public.

The event had immense national and international media coverage.  For the first time the conference received just under 400 registered journalists of which 25% were foreign, renowned figures of worldwide gastronomic journalism.       

The conference reached an unequalable balance within this new stage of the ultimate Spanish professional gastronomic conference, today a worldwide reference. The event has taken a step further to promote the future format of enogastronomic conferences.

All the professionals from the gastronomic sector were united at the same space and created an unprecedented atmosphere, according the participants themselves.

On 23rd, 24th and 25th November, the Palacio Kursaal congress centre turned into the epicentre of worldwide gastronomy. The following figures were registered:

-           68 Michelin stars assembled at a single conference, 12 of these correspond to Japanese chefs.

-           35 Japanese cooks, among which the seven great chefs and their kitchen assistants, together for the first time in Spain.

-           Just under 10,000 registered professionals including 1,100 conference members, just under 300 speakers, over 400 journalists and over 600 cooking school members, among others.

-           The conference registered 100% occupation at the exclusive round tables with the great chefs and the Japanese cooking workshops, two of the innovations at this year’s remodelled edition of San Sebastian Gastronomika.

-           The fair, with 5,000 square metres and just under 130 exhibitors, received over 10,000 visitors in only three days.

-           Over 300 bottles of sake were served in honour of Japan - the guest country at this new edition of San Sebastián Gastronomika

The six best Basque chefs, Hilario Arbelaitz, Karlos Arguiñano, Juan Mari Arzak, Martín Berasategui, Andoni Luis Aduriz and Pedro Subijana made up the Technical Committee for the first time and cooked as a team for the first time at an innovative and historic reception dinner.

The figures registered are extremely positive and succeed all expectations. The renewed San Sebastian Gastronomika conference guarantees a promising future for an ever evolving format thanks to the collaboration of all the professionals who take part in gastronomy.

Thank you everyone!